Grief is something we all must deal with at some point or another, and it can lead people to situations they never thought they would be in. The link between grief and addiction is fraught with people who want to deal with the pain they face and attempt to do so in an unhealthy way for themselves and those around them. Grief can also result in relapse for people who have worked hard to achieve and maintain sobriety. With no universal time limit, grief can bubble up months or even years after a loved one is lost. Many people turn to drug or alcohol abuse to help numb the pain, but dual diagnosis treatment at a substance abuse treatment facility can help in managing both grief and addiction.
At Oceanfront Recovery in Laguna Beach, we work hard to ensure that our dual diagnosis treatment plans are accessible, personalized, and healing. When looking to treat addiction, it’s important to look at contributing factors, such as mental health issues and family background. By treating you instead of just your substance abuse, we give you the tools to manage factors that may be impacting addiction. To learn more about what we can do for you, reach out today by calling 877.279.1777.
Grief and Addiction
Bereavement impacts us all differently, and we learn to manage grief at different paces. However, research has shown that prolonged periods of grief can raise your risk of developing an addiction. Complicated grief, which lasts longer and occurs in a small percentage of grieving individuals, can increase that risk even further. Signs you may be experiencing complicated grief can include:
- Long periods of numbness or detachment
- Feeling like you can no longer trust the people you’re close to
- Inability to focus on anything other than your loss
- Feeling bitter toward the person you’ve lost
- Problems accepting the death or loss
- Prolonged trouble going about your usual routine
- Believing you could have done something to prevent the loss
- Inability to find meaning or purpose in your life
- Self isolation
- Wishing you died along with your loved one
If you notice these symptoms, particularly if they persist for longer than a year after the loss, it’s time to consider professional help. If you’re struggling with complicated grief as well as addiction, a dual diagnosis rehabilitation program may be right for you.
The Link Between Depression and Substance Abuse
Depression, like grief and other mental health issues, can make people feel as if the only way to heal is through substance abuse. This isn’t true, of course, but the impact of grief and depression is extraordinary on some individuals, and the distraction offered by many addictive substances is tempting. Depression can also be triggered by an addiction to drugs or alcohol. For those struggling with an addiction or mental health disorder, one can too easily lead to another. Any type of recovery can feel like an uphill battle, and with co-occurring disorders, that battle can seem doubled. Talking to a professional about dual diagnosis treatment can give you the agency you need to take back your life.
Discover Healing with Oceanfront Recovery
Oceanfront Recovery’s beautiful Laguna Beach location offers dual diagnosis treatment that can address your substance abuse issues along with mental health disorders, including depression and complicated grief. When you’ve lost someone close to you, it can seem impossible to stay away from addictive substances, whether you’ve experienced addiction before or not. The good news is that addiction doesn’t have to be a life sentence. By contacting us at 877.279.1777 or visiting us online, you’re taking the first steps toward recovery and the life that you deserve.
